Buildings Program Director #2021-2603

Buildings Program Director

As our Buildings Program Director, you will further the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) mission of reducing energy and carbon emissions through whole-building solutions that significantly improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings and new construction. You will help create a strategic vision for the Buildings program, establish priorities for the program, and oversee buildings research projects. You will support development and adoption of federal, state, and local building policies, focusing resources on high-impact activities. You will develop new initiatives and form strategic partnerships to help achieve our goals established in the Call to Action.

A national nonprofit research organization based in Washington, D.C., ACEEE is America’s leading center of expertise on energy efficiency, actively contributing to debates on energy policy and climate change. We are nationally recognized for leadership in promoting energy efficiency policies. ACEEE believes that the United States can harness the full potential of energy efficiency to boost economic prosperity, improve health, and protect the environment for all its people. Our research and analysis are widely relied on by policymakers, business and industry decision makers, consumers, media, and other energy professionals. We have contributed provisions to all major federal energy legislation since the 1980s, provided guidance and support to federal agencies and presidential administrations, and engaged on energy efficiency policies and programs in over three dozen states and numerous cities. ACEEE is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion while weaving equity into our research and policy work.

Reporting to the Senior Director for Research, you will supervise Buildings team staff, manage your program’s budget, and oversee additional staff contributions to Buildings projects. You will engage with funders and policymakers, develop partnerships with other organizations, and give media interviews and webinars. You will help develop our Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings—a biennial conference held since 1980. Using your knowledge, your research skills, and your creativity, you will grow awareness of our work and help ACEEE strengthen its leadership role in the industry.

In this role, you will help define and lead the strategic direction and research priorities for the Buildings program, inspiring the team to produce high-quality work. You will lead teams of experts with varying backgrounds producing peer-reviewed research reports, white papers, and other project deliverables (e.g., fact sheets, policy briefs, formal presentations, blog posts, op eds). You will provide technical assistance to outside stakeholders on matters related to building energy efficiency policy and research, particularly federal and state equipment efficiency standards, building energy codes, building and product labeling, and voluntary efficiency specifications (through presenting ACEEE research, writing memos, and submitting formal comments). Collaborating with staff and colleagues from other organizations, you will develop policy positions, advocate for desired outcomes, and negotiate with industry. 

Responsibilities

• Direct the Buildings Program—work with others to establish program priorities, develop budgets, and ensure funding is adequate and all financial goals are met.
• Hire, train, and supervise Buildings team staff; provide oversight and mentorship to program staff on their projects and skill development.
• Develop new projects and research proposals; interact with funders and explore new funding sources.
• Provide oversight of research projects, ensuring project deliverables stay on schedule and within the prescribed budget.
• Oversee the quality and relevance of all project work within the Buildings program.
• Collaborate with other directors and the executive team on issues related to organizational planning and implementation of organization policies.
• Undertake policy and technical research projects serving as a research advisor on some projects, principal investigator on others.
• Engage with policymakers and energy efficiency advocates to develop energy efficiency policies and programs.
• Balance time between ongoing research projects and technical assistance requests as they arise.
• Maintain relationships with corporate and trade association leaders, buildings energy efficiency programs, non-governmental organizations, and national and state policy leaders.
• Represent ACEEE externally to media, stakeholders, funders, and the efficiency community as a recognized expert. Represent the program at meetings.